Partner, age 51, can't get a jab

[PollyEsterblouse]

We don't know what's gone wrong here: if anyone has any advice/suggestions, I'd be very grateful.

My partner is 51. He's British born, with an NHS number.

He typed in his date of birth and NHS number to the booking website, but got the message that he isn't eligible for the jab.

He rang 119. They went to the booking website and typed in his details, and said the same message came up: not eligible.

The news broke yesterday that age 45+ could book jabs. I booked mine, and have just had it. He tried again to book his, but again, the system tells him he isn't eligible for it.

Is there anyone we can get in touch with to try to fix this? There must be a glitch in the system, but I don't know who to contact to get around it. 119 staff weren't able to help. He emailed our local PALS but has heard nothing back. Any suggestions would be really welcome!

Is he registered with a GP?

I would get him to ring his GP and book through them, they should be able to book him in themselves or send him a link to book.

Yes he is! Sorry, it just occurred to me that I hadn't included that. He is registered: they are tricky to get hold of by phone, though.

Have you tried booking on line, but use the 'don't know my NHS no' route?

Thank you Rosie: I hope you're right.

Seeline, he has tried that. It's jsut really odd.

Has anyone used a pop-up clinic? Do they accept proof-of-age ID without checking the glitchy records system?That might work if he hasn't got time to ring the GP (his job involves back-to-back Zoom meetings absolutely all day).

I wondered if he might not have been registered with a GP, since you have to be to use the online booking system, but you say that he is.

Since 119 couldn't help either, I wonder if there is an error in his name (unusual spelling?) or perhaps an out of date address on his GP records. That would be enough to fool a computer.

Check the practice website - most practices have some means of sending messages electronically, either the NHS app or Patient Access.

They may have his date of birth wrong on his GPs records.

Does he have the Patient Access app to check? If not he needs to contact the GP to verify they have the correct date of birth for him.

In regards to his back to back meetings - he is just going to have to block time out for an appointment with himself in his work diary so he can ring them. Lots of people have to do this.

He just needs to call his GP.

@RedMarauder

They may have his date of birth wrong on his GPs records.

Does he have the Patient Access app to check? If not he needs to contact the GP to verify they have the correct date of birth for him.

In regards to his back to back meetings - he is just going to have to block time out for an appointment with himself in his work diary so he can ring them. Lots of people have to do this.

If you put in the wrong date of birth it says it can't find you.

Just call GP

Obviously

Ring GP in his lunch break 🤷🏽‍♀️

Agree with others, his GP needs to fix it and they'll want to have a call.

I’m in Walthamstow in London and every few weeks they have an open day for jabs when anyone can go get jabbed. Do you have that near you? They did 3k people in a day last time, and my 36 year old cafe manager managed to get jabbed today and she doesn’t even live in the borough. I assume other places doing same.

I'd just turn up to a big hub, take some id like a passport, chances are he'd probably get the vaccine, there are plenty of people not able to make their appointment for various reasons.

I booked mine only using my date of birth as I was too lazy to go upstairs and get my NHS number and it worked. Have you tried without the NHS number?

That might work if he hasn't got time to ring the GP (his job involves back-to-back Zoom meetings absolutely all day)
I'm sure he has to go to the toilet, have a coffee, have lunch. All he needs to do is make a quick call to his GP to look at it for him. I'm sure theyll sort it out. Its not like he's going to drop dead unless he has the vaccine right this second

Can't he email the GP or contact by an online form? I never bother with the phone to them anymore, it's easier for them and for me if I email. Which area are you in? I'm in Greater Manchester and there have been pop up clinics in a few locations round here.

I suspect his date of birth is incorrect at the gp. Most gps have online services now, just message/email them and explain

When was his last contact with his GP? Is he definitely still registered? A few years ago we had to clean up the lists, anyone who hadn't been in touch for 5 years would receive letters to ask if they were still at their address and if no response they were deregistered www.theguardian.com/society/2016/jul/20/patients-could-be-struck-off-gp-surgery-lists-after-five-years-of-no-contact

I reckon there might be a problem with his DOB or something - maybe the GP has it recorded wrongly or something?

I had this issue. It turned out my GP had accidentally removed me from their register. All sorted out by contacting my GP. I was back on their list and vaccinated a few days later.